Jan.] 



THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



77 



LETTUCE. 



If the weather be mild and dry towards the middle or the 

 latter end of the month, lettuce may be sown. A rich light 

 soil, and an early warm spot are to be chosen. The brown 

 Dutch, hardy green, white cos, and green cos, are the kinds 

 most proper for this sowing, and for the pm-pose of procuring 

 plants for transplanting in March. Let the seed be sown rather 

 thickly ; let it be lightly covered, and raked in smoothly and 

 neatly : the seeds must not be trodden nor beaten in. 



It will be necessary, in order to ensure a supply of spring 

 lettuce, to sow a small quantity of the above sorts on a slight 

 hot-bed towards the end of the month, and when sufficiently 

 stout, should be hardened by exposing them to the air by de- 

 grees, until they be sti'ong enough to stand unprotected: a 

 box with three lights, if properly managed, will afford a sup- 

 ply that will be sufficient for an ordinary family. It is not ad- 

 visable to sow any thing along with them, as it would tend to 

 draw them up too slender. 



Care of the various Sorts of Lettuces sown in Aulvmn. 



If the lettuce-plants be in frames, or under hoop-arches 

 defended with mats, let them enjoy the open air, whenever the 

 weather is mild and dry. 



But in very wet weather, and when sharp cutting winds 

 prevail, keep the glasses or mats over them, observing, how- 

 ever, to raise them two or three inches in mild days, to admit 

 air to the plants ; for if they be kept too close, they will be 

 drawn up weak, and attain to little perfection ; let the glasses, 

 however, be closely shut every cold night. In severe frosty 

 weather, keep them close night and day, and cover the glasses 

 with mats, or straw, &c. Where any cos-lettuces are pricked 

 out in a south border, closely under the wall, it would be 

 advisable in hard frost, to cover them also ; pick off all decayed 

 leaves when any appear ; keep the plants clear from weeds ; 

 destroy slugs ; and in mild weather stir the sm'face of the 

 earth between, which will much invigorate the plants. 



